It is important to realize that, at one time or another, anxiety is a part of everyone's life. Anxiety can help to motivate you or protect you from danger. However, it can also interfere with day-to-day living. It is when anxiety overrides your ability to be productive that psychological support and assistance may be required and beneficial.

Anxiety is comprised of physical feelings, negative thoughts, worry and avoidance behaviors. With anxiety, there is a very clear connection between the mind and the body. Yet anxiety disorders are very treatable (see www.adaa.org). Research from the National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov) states that cognitive-behavioral therapy (with or without doctor-prescribed medication) is the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders. (Click on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for more information).

Below is a checklist of symptoms associated with anxiety. Many of you will recognize at least some of these symptoms as ones you've experienced. Nearly everyone has experienced some of these symptoms at one time or another.

Go down the checklist and check the boxes of the symptoms that you are currently experiencing (within the last month). If these symptoms have been persisting for more than one month and are frequently intense in severity, you should know that it is possible to learn how to control and prevent them from occurring.

Unrealistic or excessive worry  Unrealistic fears concerning objects or situations  Exaggerated startle responses  Flashbacks of past traumatic events  Sleep disturbance  Ritualistic behaviors  Shakiness  Trembling  Muscle aches  Cold clammy hands  Sweating  Jitteriness  Dizziness  Fatigue  Muscle tension  Dry mouth  Racing or pounding heart  Upset stomach  Numbness/tingling  Lump in throat  Shortness of breath

Just remember that even though you may be suffering from some of these symptoms, the important thing to note is how severe are they, and how much do they interfere with day-to-day living. Do the symptoms lead to avoidance of certain situations? Please continue to find more specific information about the anxiety you are experiencing.

 

The following questions are meant to increase your awareness about your problem. Self-awareness is the first step in problem-solving. Please be reassured that all of these anxiety disorders are very treatable. No one has to suffer. The questions are based on critieria taken from the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders used by psychologists and psychiatrists).

These questions pertain to the diagnosis of certain anxiety disorders. Check the box next to the letter of each question that you answer "YES". After you are done, match your letters with the "Anxiety Disorder Chart" below.

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The Anxiety Quiz

1.  Do you have repeated, unexpected anxiety attacks where you are suddenly overcome with fear for no apparent reason?
    
2.  Do you avoid people and/or places because you are apprehensive about getting anxious or having an attack?
    
3.  Do you have persistent, inappropriate thoughts or impulses that you can't seem to get out of your mind?
    
4.  Do you have ongoing fears of being criticized by others in social situations?
    
5.  Do you have fear of places or situations where you think you anticipate that you might feel trapped or unable to get help?
    
6.  Do you have a persistent and unreasonable fear of an object or situation such as heights, dogs, flying, etc.?
    
7.  Do you worry excessively about a variety of situations?
    
8.  Are you spending too much time each day doing an activity over and over again?
    
9.  Do you often feel distracted, restless and irritable?
    
10.  Have you ever witnessed a traumatic event that involved a physical threat to you or a loved one?
     
11.  Do you find it difficult to control your worries?
     
12.  Do you experience recurrent and intrusive thoughts, impulses or images of a past traumatic event that you experienced or witnessed?
     
13.  Do you avoid social situations or endure them with a great deal of anxiety?

Listed below are specific anxiety diagnoses matched with the letters of the above questions. The questions you checked may match one or more of the diagnoses. That does not mean that you definitely have that diagnosis. It is just information to use to increase your self-awareness.

ANXIETY DISORDER CHART
Anxiety Disorder	Letter(s)
Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia	A, B, E
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder	C and/or H
Social Phobia	D, M
Specific Phobia	F
Generalized Anxiety Disorder	G, I, K
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder	J, L

Feelings of anxiety are often coupled with feelings of depression, worthlessness and guilt. Remember, ANXIETY DISORDERS ARE VERY TREATABLE.

Please read our page about Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or visit the site of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America for more information. If you checked C and/or H above, you may also wish to visit the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation website. For answers to your questions, or to inquire about scheduling an appointment, please e-mail the Anxiety and Stress Management Center.

Call the Anxiety and Stress Management Center at 215-497-0464.